Grasslands

Native grasslands provide habitat for a diversity of plant and animal species. Since European settlement our native grasslands have come under increasing pressure from agricultural modification, urbanisation and a changing climate. Due to these changes, less than 10% of the grasslands in south-eastern Australia now remain in high ecological condition. Some species that are dependent on native grasslands have declined along with their native grassland habitat.

Natural Temperate Grasslands are considered to be one of the most threatened Australian ecosystems, and are listed in the ACT as ‘Endangered’ and listed nationally as ‘Critically Endangered’. The ACT contains significant remnants of the remaining extent of Natural Temperate Grassland in the region. As such, our native grasslands are a priority for protection and management.

enhance the resilience of grasslands to disturbance and climate change.

The ACT Native Grassland Strategy includes eight action plans aimed at conserving threatened grassland species, as well as the endangered Natural Temperate Grassland ecological community. The action plans included in Part B of the strategy are:

CSIRO prepared a Report on Urban Grasslands for the ACT Government in 2005 to look for principles and alternative management treatments that would apply to different landscapes in the ACT, particularly public land.